Airstrike Destroys Gaza’s Only Cancer Hospital, Leaving Patients Without Lifesaving Care

Anjali SinghMarch 22, 2025March 22, 2025

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A devastating Israeli airstrike has wiped out the Al-Quds Cancer Center, Gaza’s only specialized hospital for cancer treatment. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, has caused widespread destruction in a region already reeling from months of escalating violence. For thousands of cancer patients in Gaza, this means a heartbreaking loss of access to essential treatment.

The Al-Quds Cancer Center had been the primary facility in Gaza providing chemotherapy, radiation, and palliative care for cancer patients, many of whom had no other access to such advanced treatment options. The destruction of the center has left cancer patients without the vital services they need to manage their conditions. Medical experts warn that this attack could have life-threatening consequences for the individuals who relied on the facility for care.

The strike on the hospital came as part of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have targeted numerous sites allegedly linked to Hamas, including residential buildings, government offices, and infrastructure. However, the destruction of a civilian medical facility has raised questions about the targeting of non-combatant structures and the proportionality of Israel’s actions.

Witnesses describe a powerful explosion that shattered the hospital’s walls and sent debris flying in all directions. Rescue teams worked quickly to search for survivors, but the magnitude of the destruction made the task difficult. Several hospital staff members were reported missing, and there are concerns about the well-being of the patients who had been undergoing treatment.

International human rights organizations and medical groups have condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international law. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian agencies have urged Israel to take immediate action to ensure the protection of medical facilities and personnel during the conflict. Under the Geneva Conventions, hospitals and medical facilities are afforded special protections during armed conflict, and targeting such facilities constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have justified the attack by claiming that Hamas was using the hospital as a base of operations. However, independent reports from medical staff and local authorities have cast doubt on these claims. The hospital, which was established in 2006, had been dedicated solely to providing medical care to cancer patients and had no known military association.

The destruction of the Al-Quds Cancer Center underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Gaza’s healthcare system. The region has been enduring significant shortages of medical supplies, limited access to clean water, and a lack of trained healthcare professionals, all of which have made it increasingly difficult to deliver essential services to the civilian population. The loss of the cancer treatment center has further exacerbated these challenges, leaving thousands of patients without access to life-saving therapies.

As the conflict continues, the international community must urgently address the humanitarian needs of Gaza’s population and work towards ensuring that healthcare facilities are protected. The people of Gaza, many of whom are already facing the daily threat of violence and displacement, should not have to endure the additional trauma of losing access to critical medical care.